Brendan Gaylis, MD

Brendan Gaylis, MD, is the director of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology, and acts as the surgeon-in-chief for tumors of the head and neck at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital. He treats patients for diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat. In addition to practicing the full scope of otolaryngology, he has expertise in the detection and surgical treatment of head and neck tumors, as well as thyroid and parathyroid disease. He is also specialized in endoscopic treatment for Zenker’s diverticulum, a condition that causes difficulty swallowing, and performs minimally invasive trans-oral laser microsurgery with mouth and throat malignancies. Another area of expertise includes reconstruction of the face, nose, ears and neck after skin cancer treatments. In his role as division director, he chairs the multi-disciplinary head and neck oncology tumor board, which provides treatment recommendations for patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

In addition to his practice, Dr. Gaylis conducts clinical research in the areas of Zenker’s diverticulum and endocrine surgery. 

Dr. Gaylis puts his patients first. It is this patient-centered way of thinking that can be seen in his approach to education and treatment. By working with his patients and engaging them in the decision-making process, he is able to provide options and education that best suit the patient’s needs and goals.

He is an active member of the American Head and Neck Society and past president of the San Diego Academy of Otolaryngology. In addition, he is director of the head and neck residency training program, and the head and neck tumor oncology board at Scripps Clinic.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing competitive tennis, reading and surfing.